Mezian Mesloub: Why Portugal moved ahead of Algeria for the Lens prospect

Mezian Mesloub appears to have chosen Portugal as the country he wants to represent internationally, despite also being eligible for France and Algeria.

The 16-year-old attacking midfielder has already been fast-tracked through the Portuguese system. After representing Portugal at Under-16 and Under-17 level, he became the youngest player ever to start for the nation’s Under-21 side in late September.

Mesloub has also made an impact for Lens. He scored just seconds after coming on against Nantes and later played a decisive role in the club’s Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague.

Although Mesloub himself has not publicly confirmed his international preference, comments from his grandfather appear to reflect the direction of his career. Portugal had already given him a clear pathway before his first call-up to the Under-21 squad.

The Federation algerienne de football (FAF) is reported to have contacted his father, Walid Mesloub, who won seven caps for Algeria, to discuss his son’s international future. However, that approach only came in September, by which time Mezian had spent several years progressing through Portugal’s youth teams.

The Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) had therefore offered him an early sense of recognition and a defined route towards one of the world’s leading national teams. Algeria, by contrast, was starting its efforts much later.

The family connection to Algeria was not necessarily enough if the young Lens player feels closer to his mother’s country. Choosing Portugal should not be viewed as a rejection of his paternal heritage or as a lack of respect for it. A dual-national’s identity cannot be reduced to a surname or to their father’s career.

As with Michael Olise and France, Mesloub appears to be moving towards the nation that best matches his personal history and sporting environment.

His start for Portugal Under-21 does not, under the regulations, close the door to Algeria. But if his grandfather’s comments accurately reflect his wishes, the Verts had fallen too far behind. Portugal already looked like the most advanced option in his international career as early as May.

The FAF may regret not making contact sooner, although there is no guarantee that an earlier call-up would have changed Mesloub’s decision.

The situation highlights the gap Algeria still needs to close if it is to avoid relying primarily on emotional ties when competing with France or Portugal. The national team must offer a convincing project, monitor promising players much earlier and strengthen the value of its own development system.

The issue is not new. Over the years, Algeria has missed out on a succession of talented players, including Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri, Nabil Fekir, Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche, although that is not an exhaustive list.

Mesloub’s case is therefore part of a much longer pattern. His decision may create regret in Algeria, but persuading a player who feels no deep attachment to the Verts would not necessarily have represented a complete victory. For many supporters, wearing the national shirt should involve a genuine desire to do so, rather than being purely a career calculation.